After its TikTok moment, feta becomes a favorite

If you’re a new fan of feta, you’re far from alone. 

Long regarded as a salad topping, the crumbly Greek-style cheese never reached the heights of popularity enjoyed by counterparts such as cheddar or mozzarella. Yet trends can shift quickly in the information age. In a world driven by social media, it took just one well-placed recipe and a little bit of time to thrust feta from its under-the-radar position to a global sensation.

Feta cheese experienced a renaissance early this year thanks to TikTok and one particular cooking demonstration that the entire world seemingly had to try. In some areas, would-be chefs encountered empty shelves when seeking out the firm, white cheese.

When it comes to feta, Agropur is known for the world’s best. It’s repeatedly earned top honors at prestigious US and world competitions. Agropur’s traditional and fat-free feta varieties each took gold medals at the 2020 World Championship Cheese Contest.

The oven-baked feta pasta recipe began as a post on a Finnish food blog.  It took on a life of its own once a step-by-step video circulated through our social feeds.  

Its simplicity created allure. The recipe’s ingredients are readily accessible and even those with limited cooking experience could follow the short list of straightforward instructions. Place block of feta cheese in the center of a baking dish and surround it with cherry tomatoes. Add chopped chili pepper, drizzle with olive oil and bake. After 25 minutes in the oven, break up the feta, stir, mix in your pasta and top with a generous helping of fresh basil.

Its visual appeal pulled people in with a creamy texture accentuated by vibrant reds and greens. It also sparked curiosity in many who never considered feta’s versatility. It isn’t just for salads and its flavor works far beyond Mediterranean cuisine.

The recipe was the perfect storm, and the results were undeniable. Feta became the top trending search term in the Instacart marketplace. Stores had trouble keeping it stock.

Cody Renard, Director of Industrial Sales and Key Accounts for Agropur, said it was pretty hard to believe at first that a social media post could so completely change the fortunes of a cheese style. Yet as time passed, growing numbers of customers saw unusual demand and it became clear the viral video had a profound impact.

It was the right recipe at the perfect time, he said.

“I think those TikTok videos put a lot of life back into feta,” Renard said. “With COVID, a lot of people are eating at home more often, they’re getting more adventurous and all of that really played into the demand.”

Many who had their first tastes of feta in the wake of the video are now learning that it’s a great base for some culinary exploration. Its salty, bright flavor accents savory foods and provides just the right balance to sweeter dishes.

We’ve all learned how wonderfully feta pairs with pasta. It should be no surprise that feta ads depth and creative flair to pizza. It’s great as a soup topping, providing a tangy flavor and an additional textural element to the bowl.

Believe it or not, feta can also add a unique twist to your dessert course. Try it as part of a cheesecake. Its fresh taste is a remarkable complement to fruit, pairing well with blueberries, strawberries, peaches, watermelon and more.

Agropur’s Weyauwega, WI facility produces high-quality feta cheese in several flavors as well as in traditional, reduced-fat and fat-free varieties.

Click here to learn more about Agropur’s delectable, award-winning feta.